Chapter 23: Self Introduction

“…There are more people than I thought.”

I expected there would be no more than 20 people, but it looks like there are over 30. 

Even if it’s a regular class, is it okay to cram this many people in? 

If I were a noble with any influence, I wouldn’t have liked this.

Sigh.

As I scanned the classroom, I noticed two empty seats next to each other. 

It was as if they were prepared just for me and Alyssa.

“Alyssa, let’s sit there.”

“Yes, sister.”

The moment I spoke, I could feel the eyes of the students, who had been chatting among themselves, instantly turn toward us. 

Though their reasons for staring might have been different, their gazes were filled with a common hostility and fear.

It’s not unreasonable. 

Considering what Alyssa has done, it’s no surprise that the students in the regular class would resent her. 

Who would be happy about the possibility of being expelled from Philia Academy, especially after barely getting in? 

Of course, not everyone would hate her, but it’s obvious that those who like her would be in the extreme minority.

‘…But why are they glaring at me? Because I’m Alyssa’s sister?’

The strange thing is, their gazes are directed at me, not Alyssa. 

Why? 

I’m only here to stop Alyssa, not to support her…! 

Saying that probably won’t make much of a difference.

Blood ties are thick and heavy, after all.

‘…This is boring.’

I thought the nobles living in the capital would be different.

I thought the elites who got into Philia Academy would be different.

But in the end, they’re no different from anyone else.

These kinds of stares are something I’ve grown accustomed to. 

The jealous glances I received from noble ladies who had only heard rumors about Alyssa’s beauty weren’t much different.

Well… This is exactly why I wanted to stop Alyssa. 

In a society where nobles would try to kill someone simply because they were rumored to be more beautiful, standing out is akin to suicide.

“Sister, Sister Amy.”

“Alyssa. Your sister is feeling a bit troubled right now. Is it something important?”

Since the teacher hadn’t arrived yet, I was staring blankly at the front, but I didn’t feel like having a conversation with Alyssa right now. 

I was just realizing how foolish this child really was.

I’m barely holding it together, but if she keeps talking, I might end up giving her a good smack.

“It’s important! Please listen!”

“…Go ahead.”

“We’re going to introduce ourselves soon, but even if someone provokes you, please just let it go!”

“…Huh?”

Wondering what nonsense she was spouting now, I looked at Alyssa, and my sister was staring at me with a serious expression. 

It didn’t seem like a joke, but could my foolish sister really know the future?

…I can’t be sure yet. What she just said is something I could have predicted to some extent. I’ll have to wait and see.

Creak.

Click, click.

The door opened, and a tall, slender beauty walked in. 

The noisy classroom fell silent as soon as she entered. 

The cold beauty, who had taken control of the classroom with just the sound of her footsteps, stood at the lectern and silently surveyed the room for a while.

“Hello, everyone.”

Despite her sharp appearance, the woman’s voice was warm and gentle.

The classroom, which had felt icy cold just moments ago, began to fill with warmth as she spoke with a soft smile on her lips, like sunlight streaming in.

“I’m Solina, and I’ll be the homeroom teacher for Class A this year. I may be lacking, but I hope we can have a good year together.”

Clap clap clap!

As she bowed her head, thunderous applause erupted. 

I was considering whether to join in, but the moment I saw my sister sitting next to me, that thought vanished.

“Solina…”

Is she someone you know? 

Judging by the way you’re glaring at her, it doesn’t seem like a good relationship. 

Unlike my sister, who has a narrow social circle, why does my sister have such wide connections…

“Since today is the first day we’re all meeting, let’s do a simple self-introduction. Lady Orteza, please start.”

“Ohohohoh~! As expected of the teacher who will be teaching me! Choosing me to go first is a splendid decision~!”

The student who stood up immediately after being called by the teacher was someone I knew by face.

Orteza Noxfer.

Though our territories were far apart and I hadn’t interacted with her directly, I’d heard rumors that she tormented lower nobles with all sorts of excuses.

It’s not like I’m one to talk, having tormented Alyssa to the point of exhaustion, but she was definitely the type I wanted to avoid getting involved with. 

Her family holds the title of Marquis, so if she flaunts her family’s power, it would be hard to do anything about it.

I could ask Lady Sharen or Miss Marybell for help, but their assistance should be saved for the most critical moments.

If I keep asking for help thoughtlessly, there might come a day when they grow tired of me.

“As you all know, let me introduce myself again! My name is Orteza Noxfer. I am the most noble and outstanding student in this class~!”

Clap clap clap.

The other students were clapping, but their expressions didn’t look too pleased.

No normal person would like this lady. 

If even I, who had only heard rumors, felt this way, how much worse would it be for those who had experienced her directly?

Glare-.

While I was just watching the clock, wondering when this boring time would end, I accidentally made eye contact with Lady Orteza.

For some reason, she was glaring at me with a fierce expression.

Swish-.

Then, she made a gesture of slitting her throat with her hand.

…Why? 

Is it because of the policy Alyssa announced? 

If that’s the case, then she should be doing this to my foolish sister!

It’s really troublesome that she’s doing this just because I’m Alyssa’s sister.

“Alyssa Rosewell.”

My foolish sister finished her introduction in six words, and it was my turn, but Lady Orteza was still glaring at me. 

Not just her, but the entire class was staring at me, and I could feel the pressure building.

When Alyssa introduced herself, no one even looked at her, so why are they doing this to me? 

Just being Alyssa’s sister doesn’t seem to be enough of an explanation.

Sigh…

“Amy Rosewell. I hope we can get along well during the year we’ll spend together.”

I thought I had finished my introduction smoothly, but for some reason, the classroom was filled with an eerie silence.

Orteza, the Baron’s daughter, the commoners, even Alyssa!

No matter who introduced themselves, they received applause, but the atmosphere now was completely different.

“Wait~ a minute!”

As I was wondering if it was okay to sit down now,

Lady Orteza stood up and pointed at me.

Her behavior was the epitome of rudeness, and I felt a bit heated, but I forced a smile and looked at her.

“Lady Orteza. Do you have a question for me?”

“Ohohohoh~! Of course I do!”

She laughed exaggeratedly, placing her hand on her cheek as she walked toward me.

In this absurd situation, I looked at the homeroom teacher for mediation, but she just twirled her green hair and stared at me expressionlessly.

“You! You’re definitely Alyssa Rosewell’s sister, right?”

“…Yes, I am.”

“Ha! How ridiculous!”

So, she’s picking a fight over Alyssa. Is this the provocation Alyssa mentioned before class? Well… Even without Alyssa’s warning, I would have let this kind of obvious provocation slide.

“You don’t deserve it.”

“Huh?”

“You! You don’t deserve to be Alyssa’s sister!”

Tap tap-.

The short Orteza stood on her tiptoes and poked my cheek with her finger.

Grind-.

I unconsciously gritted my teeth, but seeing Alyssa desperately shaking her head behind Orteza, I managed to calm down a little.

…Alright. Since Alyssa asked me to, I’ll endure it a little. Just a little.

“What’s with this tall, lanky figure? Ha! And what about these vulgar breasts? You look more like my father’s mistress than a noble lady! Ohohoh!”

“S-Sister…”

Enough. Alyssa.

Alyssa’s voice, trying to stop me, was no longer audible.

Alyssa. Your sister isn’t a coward anymore.

“You.”

“Huh… Huh?”

“What’s your goal?”

As I grabbed Orteza by the nape of her neck, the short girl flailed helplessly in the air.

I knew it was rude to lay hands on a Marquis’s daughter, but since she started it and I had Lady Sharen’s backing, I figured I could handle it somehow.

I’m not a fool like Alyssa, who lashes out in anger without thinking.

“Y-You’re finally showing your true colors!”

Though her face clearly showed fear, her mouth kept running. Even with tears welling up in her eyes, she still had the nerve to talk.

“Y-You! You don’t deserve to be Alyssa’s sister! After all, you haven’t shown any ability, have you!?”

“…Huh?”

“Alyssa proved her power in the hall with Andrea! But you haven’t shown anything, have you!?”

“What… I passed the entrance exam…”

“I didn’t see it! If you really have the qualifications, prove it!”

She must think she’s regained the upper hand. Orteza, now full of confidence, easily shook off my hand and walked over to Alyssa.

Thud.

Alyssa was already holding her head and shaking it, looking at me pitifully as if Orteza was no longer in her sight.

“Amy Rosewell! I, Orteza Noxfer, challenge you to a duel! The winner will become the class representative of Class A, and the loser will lose everything and become the winner’s slave!”

Murmur murmur-.

The outrageous proposal caused a stir among the students who were watching, but Homeroom Teacher Solina just continued to stare at me.

I gave up on the faint hope I had in the teacher and was about to refuse the ridiculous proposal.

“You’re not going to run away, are you! Alyssa said that weak people pay the price! As her sister, you should set an example, right?”

Grin-.

“Well, it’s fine if you run away! You’ll just be proving to the world that the eldest daughter of the Rosewell family has a small capacity after all~! Ohohohoh!”

She had taken away all my options to escape. 

If I ran away now, it wouldn’t just be me being insulted—the entire Rosewell family would become a laughingstock.

“…I accept your duel challenge.”

“Ha! At least you have some courage. The Noxfer family is the master of wind magic! I’ll show you its true power today! Ohohohoh~!”

Orteza, who had laughed triumphantly, returned to her seat and looked at me smugly.

‘…Why did I do that? I could have endured a little longer.’

Feeling a sense of self-loathing for falling so easily into her trap, I held my head in my hands, just like Alyssa had done earlier.

“Sister…”

“…I’m sorry. Alyssa.”

Alyssa’s advice… I shouldn’t ignore it next time.